'Because when you combine an atomic capability with launch capability, that is a significant upgrade in threat. So you have to plan.

'I don't think we have that sort of threat capability and that willingness from any other nation in the world.'

The changes proposed by the Republican senator and David Frockt, a Democrat, will axe the rules preventing Washington from preparing for a nuclear attack.

Mr Miloscia will put the bill before his fellow lawmakers at the state capital, Olympia, tomorrow.

He then hopes a plan can be drawn up a the same time as officials revise Washington's earthquake, tsunami and volcano response plans.

The United Nations Security Council has implemented sanctions against North Korea after the country's sixth and most powerful nuclear test

North Korea has warned the US will soon face the 'greatest pain' it has ever experienced as Kim Jong-un's hackers look set to turn to cyber-attacks to steal virtual currency in order to obtain funds amid United Nations sanctions.

Imports of crude oil have been capped - although the council stopped short of a total ban - and textile exports have been banned in the latest move against the state after its sixth and most powerful nuclear test.

It was the ninth sanctions resolution over North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear programs adopted by the 15-member council since 2006.

Now, Kim Jong-un's hackers are said to be looking to counter the restrictions by tapping into online currency such as Bitcoin as Pyongyang officials condemned the sanctions adding the US would soon face the 'greatest pain' it had ever experienced.

North Korea on Tuesday rejected the tougher sanctions and aimed its threats at the US.

Han accused the U.S. administration of being 'fired up for political, economic, and military confrontation,' and of being 'obsessed with the wild game of reversing the DPRK's development of nuclear force which has already reached the completion phase'.